Cigar guides
Practical articles on choosing cigars, sizes, preparation, storage and tasting.
Beginners · 6 min readHow to choose your first cigarA calm, practical first-cigar guide: what a cigar is made of, strength versus flavor, the right size, what to buy…
Preparation · 4 min readHow to cut and light a cigar properlyWhere exactly to cut, which cut to choose, how to toast the foot and how to fix an uneven burn. Two minutes of…
Tasting · 4 min readHow to taste a cigar and read its flavor profileLearn the six flavor families, how a cigar changes across its thirds, how to retrohale safely and how to write…
Storage · 5 min readCigar humidor guide: humidity, seasoning and careWhy cigars need 65–70% humidity, which humidor to choose, how to season it, how to calibrate a hygrometer and how…
Sizes · 3 min readCigar sizes and vitolas: from Petit Corona to ChurchillHow length and ring gauge are measured, the most common cigar formats drawn to scale, how size changes flavor and…
Basics · 4 min readHow to identify a cigar: read the band, size and wrapperWhat cigar is this? A practical way to identify any cigar from its band, size and wrapper, what to do when the…
Industry · 5 min readWhere premium cigars come from: U.S. import data by country (2026)Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Honduras make almost every premium cigar sold in the United States. The…
Buying · 7 min readHow to spot fake Cuban cigars: the complete checklistCounterfeit Cohibas, glass-top boxes, bogus Behikes and loose seals. How to check the box, the Habanos warranty…
Reference · 11 min readCigar glossary: 120+ terms every cigar lover should knowFrom Amatista to Vuelta Abajo: an A–Z cigar dictionary covering shapes, wrappers, tobacco, tasting, storage and…Tasting · 4 min readHow cigar ratings work: blind tastings and community scoresA professional blind tasting and an open community rating answer different questions. Learn how to read each…